User-controlled entertainment system, apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A system, method, and apparatus for allowing a wireless communication device operator to control aspects of a multi-player game are described. In one embodiment, a server sends a signal to a plurality of wireless communication devices indicating an availability of an exclusive privilege for one of the wireless communication device operators to exclusively control one or more aspects of the multi-player game. Next, a request is received from a first wireless communication device for a first wireless communication device operator to receive the exclusive privilege. Then, the server determines whether another wireless communication device operator has already been assigned the exclusive privilege to play the multi-player game; if not, the exclusive privilege is assigned to the first wireless communication device. Finally, the server sends a confirmation to the first wireless communication device indicating that the first wireless communication device operator has been granted the exclusive privilege.

BACKGROUND Description of the Related Art

Entertainment in the form of electronic trivia games has been availablein public venues such as bars and restaurants for many years. In thepast, bars and restaurants have provided their patrons with customwireless gaming consoles that allow the patrons to participate in triviagames. The trivia games are hosted by a computer server located in thevenue or located remotely from the venue, and automatically providestrivia questions and potential answers to the patrons via one or morepublic monitors located in the venue. Patrons read the trivia questionsand potential answers on the public monitors, and select one of thepotential answers via their gaming console, which transmits the patrons'answers wirelessly to the server. After a predetermined time period, thecorrect answer is provided by the server to the public monitor, andpatrons are awarded points by the server until a game conclusion isreached, typically after a predetermined number of trivia questions havebeen posed.

More recently, venues of many types have begun to offer a wide varietyof entertainment services, in addition to trivia games, to theirpatrons. For example, many bars, restaurants, sporting venues, concerthalls, shopping venues, have begun offering entertainment to theirpatrons in the form of poker, sports-related games, bingo, musicplayback via in-venue jukeboxes, videos, television shows, and otherentertainment. Patrons typically use mobile devices, such as customtablet computers, personal Smartphones, public monitors, portablecomputers, or a combination of these devices, to participate in theentertainment provided by the venue. However, the venue server oroff-site server is always in control of what types of entertainment isavailable to patrons, when the entertainment will become available topatrons, and general aspects of the entertainment, such as a rate ofgame play. For example, the server may offer several types of triviagames, each type occurring at one or more predetermined times during theday or evening. Thus, a patron wishing to play a particular type oftrivia game must wait until it is offered by the server.

Another problem with previous entertainment services offered by publicvenues is that the pace of the game is also only controlled by the venueserver or off-site server. For example, during a trivia game, manyaspects of the game are presented at predetermined time intervals, suchas the time between each question, the time that potential answers aredisplayed after each question is revealed, the time given to patrons toanswer each question, etc. Thus, a pause in game play is not possible,for example to allow some patrons extra time to answer a question, topause game play for any variety of reasons, to increase the speed of thegame to account for a majority of patrons that are generally impatient,or to decrease the speed of the game to account for a majority ofpatrons that require extra time to answer questions.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter

The embodiments described herein relate to systems, methods andapparatus for providing user-controlled entertainment services. In oneembodiment, a server is described, comprising a communication interfacefor sending and receiving information from a plurality of wirelesscommunication devices over a network, a memory for storingprocessor-executable instructions, and a processor coupled to the memoryand the communication interface for executing the processor-executableinstructions that cause the server to send a signal to the plurality ofwireless communication devices indicating an availability of themulti-player game and an indication of an availability of an exclusiveprivilege for one of the wireless communication device operators toexclusively control one or more aspects of the multi-player game,receive a request from a first wireless communication device for a firstwireless communication device operator to receive the exclusiveprivilege, determine whether another wireless communication deviceoperator has already been assigned the exclusive privilege to play themulti-player game, assign the exclusive privilege to the first wirelesscommunication device if the exclusive privilege has not been assigned toanother wireless communication device operator, and send a confirmationto the first wireless communication device indicating that the firstwireless communication device operator has been granted the exclusiveprivilege.

In another embodiment, a wireless communication device for allowing anoperator of the wireless communication device to control one or moreaspects of a multi-player game offered by a server, comprising acommunication interface to transmit and receive information with theserver, a user interface to display information to the operator and toreceive input from the operator, a memory for storingprocessor-executable instructions, and a processor coupled to thecommunication interface, the user interface, and the memory forexecuting the processor-executable instructions that cause the wirelesscommunication device to request an exclusive right to control one ormore aspects related to the multi-player game from the server, receivethe exclusive right to control one or more aspects related to themulti-player game, and after the game has started, transmit a command tothe server for controlling an aspect of the multi-player game as thegame is being played.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features, advantages, and objects of the present invention willbecome more apparent from the detailed description as set forth below,when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like referencedcharacters identify correspondingly throughout, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a system for allowing a wirelesscommunication device operator to control one or more aspects of amulti-player game offered by a server;

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of one of theservers shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of one of thewireless communication devices shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method toallow a wireless communication device operator to control one or moreaspects of a multi-player game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present application relates to providing user-controllableentertainment services to individuals via wireless communication devicesoperated by the individuals. For example, a multi-player game can beinitialized by an individual via an application running on theindividual's smartphone, advertise availability and particulars aboutthe game to other players, then control the pace or other aspects of thegame via the individual's wireless communication device.

FIG. 1 illustrates system 100 for providing user-controllableentertainment services to operators of wireless communication devices.For example, system 100 may provide a gaming environment that allows awireless communication device operator to control aspects of amulti-player game offered by server 100. In the embodiment shown in FIG.1, system 100 comprises server 102 located within venue 116, and threewireless communication devices 104, 106, and 108 also located withinvenue 116. System 100 may optionally include remote server 110 incommunication with server 102 via wide area network 112 and wirelessrouter 114. In another embodiment, entertainment services are providedby remote server 110 to the wireless communication devices without theuse of server 102, such as in an embodiment where the entertainmentservices are provided to venue 116 remotely over wide area network 112.Although only three wireless communication devices are shown in FIG. 1,in practical applications, a plurality of wireless communication devicesis typically found within venue 116 and provided with entertainmentservices from server 102, server 110, or a combination of both. Forexample, server 110 may communicate with server 102 to provide server102 with initial entertainment services or updated entertainmentservices in the form of software such as executable computer code.

System 100 may additionally comprise one or more public viewing monitors124. Such public viewing monitors are commonplace in venues such as barsand sporting events for providing visual information such as images,videos, advertisements, television shows, sporting events, etc. to anumber of patrons or customers within a venue. Each public viewingmonitor 124 typically comprises a video display, such as an LCD or LEDdisplay, which may include a tuner for allowing viewers to watch aparticular channel out of a number of channels provided by server102/110 or some other source. The public viewing monitors also typicallycomprise an audio output device, such as speakers, for allowing patronsand customers to hear audio information associated with the visualinformation displayed by the monitors.

Each of the wireless communication devices 104, 106, and 108 comprise aportable electronic computing device capable of wireless communicationwith server 102/110, such as a Smartphone, tablet computer, laptopcomputer, or any other device capable of wireless communications with acellular data network or a local data network such as a Wi-Fi LANprovided by wireless router 114. For example, wireless communicationdevice 104 may comprise one of a variety of Wi-Fi enabled tabletcomputers sold by a variety of computer manufacturers, such as the iPadtablet computer manufactured by Apple Computer of Cuppertino, Calif., orthe Galaxy Tab tablet computer manufactured by Samsung Electronics ofSeoul, Korea. In other embodiments, one or more of the wirelesscommunication devices may comprise a Smartphone, such as an iPhonemanufactured by Apple Computer. In one embodiment, any one of wirelesscommunication devices 104, 106, and 108 comprise a tablet computerspecially provisioned by venue 116. For example, a restaurant chain mayprovision a plurality of customized tablet computers for use in theirvenues, the tablet computer comprising the restaurant chain's logo aswallpaper, and pre-loaded with a number of “apps” for allowing certaintypes of entertainment, advertisements, or user-activity to occur viathese tablets, such as an ability for patrons to order food orbeverages, select music for play on a jukebox, to play games, and to payfor the aforementioned activities. The apps typically work inconjunction with server 102 and/or server 110 by transmitting andreceiving messages related to the entertainment and other services. Thecustomized tablets may be provided to customers as they arrive on theprovider's premises. For example, a restaurant/bar may provide acustomized tablet to each customer seated at tables located throughoutthe restaurant/bar. In any case, each wireless communication devicetypically comprises a display for presenting visual information tocustomers, a user input device, such as a keypad, microphone, touchpad,or other known input device, to receive information from customers, anda communication interface that allows signals to be transmitted andreceived to/from the wireless communication devices.

In one embodiment, a networked computer operator using networkedcomputer 122 could also be granted permission to control a multi-playergame in addition to operators of the wireless communication devices invenues 116, 118, and 120. Additionally, off-site wireless communicationdevices could participate in entertainment services offered by a venue.For example, a Smartphone could be used to receive alerts from venue 116when a favorite trivia game offered by venue 116 is about to begin. Inresponse to receiving the alert, an operator of the Smartphone couldparticipate in the trivia game by registering with server 102 and/orserver 110, and play the game as if the operator was located withinvenue 116.

The same entertainment services provided by server 102 and/or server 110may also be provided to one or more other venues, such as venue 118 andvenue 120 as shown in FIG. 1. Each venue 116, 118, and 120 is a publicvenue such as a bar, restaurant, nightclub, sporting event venue,casino, hotel, retail store, Laundromat, or any other public venue whereentertainment services may be provided to customers or patrons of suchpublic venues. A number of wireless communication devices similar toWCDs 104, 106, and 108 may be located within these other venues andparticipate in games played with or against wireless communicationdevices within their respective venues, or with or against wirelesscommunication devices located at other venues.

Entertainment services provided by the venues may comprise providingmulti-player games to venue customers and patrons, such as trivia,poker, bingo, and sports games such as QB1 offered by NTN Buzztime ofCarlsbad, Calif., where players try to predict the next play of a livefootball game. For example, a trivia game may comprise server 102/110providing questions to customers and patrons located in one or morevenues, then providing several possible answers to each question. Thequestions and possible answers are typically transmitted to customers'wireless communication devices, which may comprise a personal smartphoneor tablet computer, or a tablet computer provided by a venue to theircustomers. The wireless communication devices are used by customers toselect one of the possible answers and to transmit the selected answerto server 102/110. After a predetermined time period after the questionis posed, for example 30 seconds, server 102/110 reveals the correctanswer to customers via their wireless communication devices and/or oneor more public viewing monitors 124 located within the venue(s).

System 100 allows patrons or customers of venues to control variousaspects of such entertainment services provided by system 100. Forexample, a patron of venue 116 operating wireless communication device106 may be able to select a game offered by server 102 and be granted“host” privileges by server 102/110. Host privileges may include anexclusive ability, i.e., not given to any other wireless communicationdevice operator, to control certain “aspects” of a game, such as gametype, an ability to restrict the game to only certain other wirelesscommunication devices (for example, within venue 116 and/or within venue116 and other venues), an ability to control the pace of game play(e.g., an ability to pause or advance the game to a subsequent state),an ability to specify a game start time, an ability to specify a gameduration, an ability to select tie breakers (e.g., a type oftie-breaking game, typically comprising one round of such a tie-breakinggame), or other aspects of the game. A game “state” may be referred toas a certain point of play as a game is played. For example, a firststate may comprise a “pre-game” state prior to the actual start of thegame. Another state might comprise a state of game play after a triviaquestion is posed by server 102/110 but before a set of possible answersis provided by server 102/110. Another state might comprise a state ofgame play after a bingo ball is drawn or a card is displayed in a pokergame. Yet another state of a game might comprise a state of game playafter one or more possible answers are displayed to players.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of server 102 orserver 110. Specifically, FIG. 2 shows processor 200, memory 202,communication interface 204, and user interface 206. It should beunderstood that not all of the functional blocks shown in FIG. 2 arerequired for operation of server 102/110 (for example, user interfacemay not be necessary), that the functional blocks may be connected toone another in a variety of ways, and that not all functional blocksnecessary for operation of server 102/110 are shown (such as a powersupply), for purposes of clarity.

Server 102 may comprise virtually any commercially-available servers onthe market today, including the P4300IP server system manufactured byIntel Corporation of Santa Clara, Calif. Processor 200 provides generaloperation of server 102 by executing processor-executable instructionsstored in memory 202, for example, executable code. Processor 200typically comprises a general purpose processor, such as any of theXenon® family of processors manufactured by Intel Corporation of SantaClara, Calif., although any one of a variety of microprocessors,microcomputers, and/or microcontrollers suitable for a server-typeapplication may be used alternatively.

Memory 202 comprises one or more information storage devices, such ashard drives, RAM memories, ROM memories, flash memories, and/orvirtually any other type of electronic, optical, or mechanical memorydevice, but excludes propagated signals. Typically, memory 202 comprisesmore than one type of memory. For example, memory 202 may comprise a ROMmemory used to store processor-executable instructions for operation ofserver 102/110, plus one or more hard drives for storingprocessor-executable instructions relating to entertainment services,such as executable instructions for conducting game play, for orderingfood or beverages, controlling jukebox functionality, etc. Memory 202may also store code for transmission and execution to the wirelesscommunication devices, commonly known as “apps”, for providing theentertainment services. One or more apps may be downloaded from server102 by wireless communication devices in order that the wirelesscommunication devices present the entertainment offered by server102/110.

Communication interface 204 is electronically coupled to processor 200and comprises electronic circuitry necessary for server 102/110 tocommunicate with the wireless communication devices via wireless router114. In the case of server 110, communication interface 104 comprisescircuitry for communicating over wide-area network 112. In anotherembodiment, communication interface comprises wireless communicationcircuitry to allow server 102 to communicate directly with wirelesscommunication devices within venue 116 via a LAN. Communicationinterface 204 comprises circuitry, hardware, software and/or firmwarenecessary to transmit and receive information sent to or from router 114via one or more commonly-used network protocols, such as the well-knownTCP/IP suite of protocols. Alternatively, or in addition, communicationinterface could comprise electronics and supporting software/firmware tosupport other well-known communication types, including Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, wireless telephone communications, fiber-opticcommunications, and so on.

User interface 206 is coupled to processor 200 and is used to allow anindividual to control operation of server 102/110 and/or to receiveinformation from server 102. User interface 206 may comprise one or moretouchscreens, pushbuttons, switches, sensors, keypads, and/ormicrophones that generate electronic signals for use by processor 200upon initiation by a user. User interface 206 may additionally compriseone or more seven-segment displays, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquidcrystal display (LCD), one or more light emitting diode displays (LEDD),one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), light arrays, or any othertype of visual display. Further, the electronic display couldalternatively or in addition comprise an audio device, such as aspeaker, for audible presentation of information to a user. Of course,the aforementioned items could be used alone or in combination with eachother and other devices may be alternatively, or additionally, used.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of a typicalwireless communication device, such as one of the wireless communicationdevices shown in FIG. 1. Specifically, FIG. 3 shows processor 300,memory 302, communication interface 304, and user interface 306. Itshould be understood that the functional blocks may be connected to oneanother in a variety of ways and that not all functional blocksnecessary for operation of a wireless communication device are shown(such as a power supply), for purposes of clarity.

Each wireless communication device may comprise virtually anycommercially-available portable or fixed computing device on the markettoday having communications capabilities, such as any Smartphone, tabletcomputer, laptop computer, or even a fixed, “desktop” computer.Processor 300 provides general operation of the wireless communicationdevice by executing processor-executable instructions stored in memory302, for example, executable code. Processor 300 typically comprises ageneral purpose processor, such as Tegra 2 processor manufactured byNvidia Corporation of Santa Clara, Calif., although any one of a varietyof microprocessors, microcomputers, and/or microcontrollers suitable forallowing mobile computing/communications may be used alternatively.

Memory 302 comprises one or more information storage devices, such ashard drives, RAM memories, ROM memories, flash memories, and/orvirtually any other type of electronic, optical, or mechanical memorydevice, but excludes propagated signals. Typically, memory 302 comprisesmore than one type of memory. For example, memory 302 may comprise a ROMmemory used to store processor-executable instructions for operation ofthe wireless communication device, plus RAM memory to store one or moreapps that provide entertainment services to a wireless communicationdevice operator.

Communication interface 304 is electronically coupled to processor 300and comprises electronic circuitry necessary for wireless communicationswith server 102 or 110 via wireless router 114 or via a cellularnetwork. Typically, communication interface comprises circuitry,hardware, software and/or firmware necessary to transmit and receiveinformation sent via one or more commonly-used network protocols, suchas the well-known TCP/IP suite of protocols. Alternatively, or inaddition, communication interface could comprise electronics andsupporting software/firmware to support a variety of well-knowncommunication types, including Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, fiber-opticcommunications, cellular (such as LTE or WiMax), and so on.

User interface 306 is coupled to processor 300 and is used to allow anoperator of the wireless communication device to engage in entertainmentor other services offered by server 102/110. User interface 306 maycomprise one or more touchscreens, pushbuttons, switches, sensors,keypads, and/or microphones that generate electronic signals for use byprocessor 300 upon initiation by customers. User interface 306 mayadditionally comprise one or more liquid crystal displays (LCDs), one ormore light emitting diode displays (LEDDs), one or more light emittingdiodes (LEDs), light arrays, or any other type of visual display.Further, user interface 306 could, alternatively or in addition,comprise an audio device, such as a speaker, for audible presentation ofinformation to an operator. Of course, the aforementioned items could beused alone or in combination with each other and other devices may bealternatively, or additionally, used. Typically, input device 306comprises a widely-known touchscreen device capable of displayinginformation and receiving operator input.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method toallow a wireless communication device operator to control one or moreaspects of a multi-player game. The method is performed by a combinationof a wireless communication device, such as wireless communicationdevice 104 in FIG. 1, and server 102, server 110, or both. Processor 300in the wireless communication device executes processor-executableinstructions stored in memory 302 that causes the wireless communicationdevice to perform the method pertaining to the wireless communicationdevice, while processor 200 in either server 102, server 110, or both,executes processor-executable instructions stored in a memory 202associated with the server(s) that causes the server(s) to perform themethod pertaining to the server(s). Although the method of FIG. 4 isdescribed in particular as certain operations of the method occurring atserver 102/110 or at the wireless communication device, it should beunderstood that the concepts described could be applied to otherembodiments, such as an embodiment where an “app” runs on the wirelesscommunication device that provides entertainment functionality to anoperator of such a device, without departing from the general inventiveconcepts described herein.

It should be further understood that in some embodiments, not all of thesteps shown in FIG. 4 are performed, and that the order in which thesteps are carried out may be different in other embodiments. Further, itshould be understood that some minor method steps may have been omittedfor purposes of simplifying the method description unnecessary for oneskilled in the art to make and use the inventive concepts described.Finally, while the steps are reference only to server 102 in thefollowing discussion, it should be understood that it is intended thatthe steps be applicable to server 110 in the alternative, or sharedbetween server 102 and server 110.

At block 400, server 102 sends a signal to a plurality of wirelesscommunication devices and/or public display monitor 124 indicating anavailability of entertainment services, for example in the form of oneor more multi-player games, and an indication of an exclusive privilegefor one of the wireless communication devices to exclusively control oneor more aspects of the game. In another embodiment, one or more “apps”are downloaded from server 102 by a plurality of wireless communicationdevices, and one of the apps provides an indication to an operator ofeach wireless communication device that entertainment services areavailable to each operator in the form of one or more multi-playergames, and an indication that at least one of the multi-player games maybe controlled by an operator of one of the plurality of wirelesscommunication devices. For example, server 102 may send a signal to aplurality of wireless communication devices that a particular triviagame is available for exclusive control by one of the wirelesscommunication device operators. In one embodiment, a list ofoperator-controllable entertainment services is displayed on eachwireless communication device in response to an operator requesting sucha list. For example, an operator may press a “Host” icon displayed onuser interface 306, whereupon a list of entertainment services that maybe controlled, or “hosted”, or granted an exclusive privilege to controlone or more aspects of the game by one of the wireless communicationdevice operators is presented to the operator of the wirelesscommunication device. The list may include such games as trivia game,poker, bingo, sports games, a DJ application where an operator maycompile a song list for presentation to the venue via a jukebox locatedin the venue, etc. and is typically provided by server 102 in responseto the operator pressing the “Host” icon. In another embodiment, such alist of entertainment services available for hosting is pre-stored inmemory 302 of each wireless communication device. Hosting anentertainment service comprises exclusively controlling certain aspectsof the entertainment, such as determining a pace or rate at which a gameis played, determining a minimum or maximum number of players of a game,inviting certain players and/or excluding others from game play, etc.Generally, only one host is given exclusive hosting privileges for eachentertainment service. For example, one individual may be givenexclusive hosting privileges to play a pop-music trivia game, whileanother individual may, simultaneously, be granted exclusive hostingprivileges to play a sports trivia game.

At block 402, an operator of one of the plurality of wirelesscommunication devices selects an entertainment service available to theoperator for hosting, as displayed at block 400. For purposes of theremaining discussion of the method of FIG. 4, it will be assumed thatthe request received by server 102 is a request to host a multi-playertrivia game (i.e., be granted the exclusive privilege to control one ormore aspects of the game), although the inventive concepts described canbe applied to other game types, such as bingo, poker, sports-relatedgames, etc. Multi-player games refer to games where two or more wirelesscommunication device operators play a game with or against each other.The operator's request is received by processor 300 which, in turn,generates a request to receive the exclusive privilege for transmissionto server 102. The request may include an identification of the wirelesscommunication device, such as an IP address, MAC address, or anidentification of the operator, such as a name, a digital image, or ausername of the operator. The operator identification information mayhave previously been provided to server 102 during an initialregistration process between the operator and server 102, or it may beprovided at block 402.

At block 404, the request to play the multi-player game and receive theexclusive privilege for the game is transmitted by the wirelesscommunication device to server 102.

At block 406, the request to play the game and receive the exclusiveprivilege to the game is received by server 102. Server 102 may beprogrammed to only allow a certain number of entertainment types tooccur at one time. Such limitations may be based on a venue size, e.g.,a number of patrons that the venue can accommodate at any particulartime, a time of day, or other factors. For instance, in a venue able toaccommodate 200 patrons, server 102 may be programmed to only allow 1trivia game and 1 poker game from the hours of noon and 8 pm, and thenallow 3 trivia games, 2 poker games, and 1 sports-related game to beplayed at one time after 8 pm. Thus, if such a limitation on the numberof games is imposed on server 102, server 102 checks memory 202 todetermine if the maximum number of games has been reached. If so, server102 may transmit a message back to the requesting operator indicatingthat the request has been rejected.

At block 407, processor 200 determines whether another wirelesscommunication device operator has already been assigned the exclusiveprivilege to play the multi-player game requested by the wirelesscommunication device at block 406. If so, server 102 may transmit amessage back to the requesting operator indicating that the request hasbeen rejected.

At block 408, if no other wireless communication device operator hasbeen granted the exclusive hosting privilege, server 102 is configuredso that only the operator who transmitted the request at block 402 maycontrol aspects of the trivia game. In one embodiment, this isaccomplished by processor 200 storing identification information relatedto the requesting operator or the operator's wireless communicationdevice in memory 202 and associating the identification information withthe game selected by the operator. Then, processor 200 compares theidentification information received in subsequent transmissions fromvarious wireless communication devices, and only allowing control of thetrivia game by transmissions having identification information matchingthe identification information of the requesting operator as stored inmemory 202.

At block 410, server 102 sends a confirmation to the requesting operatorgranting the requesting operator exclusive hosting privileges of thetrivia game. The requesting operator may now be referred to as the “hostoperator” and the wireless communication device used by the hostoperator known as the “host wireless communication device”. Processor200 may increment a counter stored within memory 202 indicating that atrivia game is in progress, for use in determining a maximum permissiblenumber of trivia games that may be played in venue 116 simultaneously.In one embodiment, server 102 generates a passcode typically comprisinga numeric, alpha-numeric code, or other code or “secret” that limitsgame play to only those who know the passcode, and transmits it to therequesting operator. The requesting operator may then invite others toparticipate in the trivia game by verbally announcing, or otherwisecommunicating, the passcode to other potential players located withinvenue 116. In other embodiments, the passcode may be distributed in anynumber of different ways, including by direct transmission from server102 locally to potential players located within venue 116 (in oneembodiment, via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, iBeacon, etc. to ensure the passcodeis only received by players located at venue 116), display on one ormore monitors located within venue 116, and/or an audio announcementfrom the one or more monitors. In this way, participation in the game islimited to only those potential players who receive the passcode fromthe requesting operator.

At block 412, the host operator may determine one or more “pre-gameaspects” of the trivia game, comprising features of the trivia game thatmay be defined before game play begins, such as a game version, gametype or sub-type, a game start time, a game speed (e.g. a rate at whichthe game is intended to progress, for example, fast, moderate, slow,etc.), a game duration, a maximum number of players, a minimum number ofplayers, a restriction relating to the location of players (i.e.,restricting game play to individuals located with venue 116, withinvenue 116 and 118, etc.), or any other attribute related to pre-gameaspects selected by the host operator. Each of these aspects may bechosen by the host operator and a command instructing server 102 toapply the pre-game aspects defined by the host operator. As an example,if a trivia game was selected at block 402 by the requesting operator,the pre-game aspects received from the requesting operator from therequesting operator may comprise an identification of a trivia gamerelated to a particular genre, such as “current events”, “movies”,“sports”, “baseball”, “music”, or virtually any type of trivia game.Other version types may include a type of poker game (e.g., 5 card draw,7 card stud, Texas Hold 'Em, etc). With relation to bingo, the requestmay comprise a selection of one or more winning bingo patterns toinclude in the bingo game. In any case, a command to apply the pre-gameaspects defined by the host operator is provided to processor 300 andthen transmitted to server 102 via communication interface 304.

At block 414, server 102 receives the command transmitted at block 412from the host wireless communication device.

At block 416, server 102 transmits at least some of the pre-game aspectsto the plurality of wireless communication devices to inform theirrespective operators of the existence of the game hosted by therequesting operator, and may comprise an identification of the hostoperator (e.g., operator's actual name or username, a digital image ofthe host operator, etc). For instance, server 102 may transmit a messageto the plurality of wireless communication devices that a sports triviagame will be hosted by host operator “JohnD” at 8:30 pm or as soon as 50people have signed into server 102 to play the trivia game, asdetermined by the host operator.

At block 418, server 102 receives one or more requests from operators ofother wireless communication devices to play the trivia game hosted bythe host operator. In one embodiment, the requests each comprise thepasscode that was generated by server 102 at block 410. As each requestis received, processor 200 registers these devices and/or theirassociated operator by associating identification information containedin each request with the trivia game and storing this information inmemory 202. In the case where a passcode is used, processor 200 comparesthe passcode in each request to ensure that it matches with the passcodegenerated by server 102 at block 410 and only allows those requestscomprising the correct passcode to participate in the game.

At block 420, server 102 transmits a confirmation to the wirelesscommunication devices that requested to play the trivia game that theyhave been registered to play the game. In response, each wirelesscommunication device may provide additional information to server 102,such as the number of players playing as a team via a particularcommunication device, a team name, one or more individual names, one ormore photos, for example, photos of the team members, and/or otherinformation.

At block 422, server 102 transmits a signal to the host wirelesscommunication device when one or more other wireless communicationdevices have registered to play the game. This information is thendisplayed to the host operator by the host wireless communication deviceto allow the host operator to track the rate at which people sign up toplay the game and to know the overall number of people who haveregistered. In one embodiment, the additional information described withrespect to block 420 is also provided to the host wireless communicationdevice. The host operator may be given an opportunity to accept orreject a particular individual or team from participating in the game.For example, the host operator may find an individual/team nameoffensive. In that case, the host operator may transmit a message toserver 102, rejecting a particular individual or team associated withone or more wireless communication devices that submitted a request toplay the game. In response, server 102 may transmit an indication to therejected team or individual's wireless communication device of therejection and, in one embodiment, an invitation to enter a differentindividual/team name, substitute or drop one or more team members, etc.If a change is made by the rejected individual/team, a re-request may betransmitted to server 102 for approval by the host operator, asdiscussed previously.

At block 424, server 102 transmits a signal to the wirelesscommunication devices for each wireless communication device to displayan “introduction” screen to operators of the wireless communicationdevices. The introduction screen could be pre-loaded onto the wirelesscommunication devices and displayed when commanded by server 102.

At block 426, sever 102 transmits a signal to the host wirelesscommunication device for the host wireless communication device todisplay a similar “introduction” screen that is displayed by the otherwireless communication devices that signed up to play the trivia game.However, the host wireless communication device may additionally displayone or more icons, text, and/or other visual symbols for controlling“in-game aspects” of the trivia game. Such in-game aspects may comprisea “Start” function for instructing server 102 to begin the trivia game,a “Next” icon to instruct server 102 to advance to the next operatingstate of the trivia game, e.g., to provide the next question in thegame, to provide one or more possible answers, to stop accepting answersfrom wireless communication devices, to present the correct answer, toshow a scoreboard of top-performing operators, etc. In other game types,the host operator's display may include a “Deal” icon, a “Next Pick”bingo ball selection icon, a “Next Play” icon in a sports game, or othersymbol applicable aspects of particular games.

At block 428, the host operator begins the game by providing a commandto user interface 306, such as touching a “Start Game” icon. The commandis received by processor 300 and transmitted to server 102.

At block 430, server 102 receives the “Start Game” command from the hostwireless communication device.

At block 432, in response to the receiving the “Start Game” command atblock 430, server 102 sends a first trivia question to each wirelesscommunication device that registered to play the trivia game at blocks418 and 420, and to the host wireless communication device.Alternatively, or in addition, server 102 sends the first triviaquestion to one or more public monitors 124.

At block 434, the first trivia question is received by each wirelesscommunication device that registered with server 102 to play the triviagame, including the host wireless communication device. The first triviaquestion is displayed to each operator of the wireless communicationdevices via user interface 306, respectively. In one embodiment, thetrivia game does not progress to the next state; that of displaying twoor more possible answers to the trivia question, until an indicationfrom the host operator is received by server 102.

At block 436, after receiving the first trivia question, the hostoperator may provide a command to user interface 306 for server 102 toprovide two or more possible answers to the first trivia question.Typically four or five possible answers are provided. The command isreceived by processor 300 and a message is transmitted to server 102indicative of the host operator's desire for server 102 to present thetwo or more possible answers. In this way, the host operator can controlan aspect of the game related to the rate or speed at which the game isplayed.

At block 438, server 102 receives the command sent by the host wirelesscommunication device to provide the two or more possible answers.

At block 440, server 102 sends the two or more possible answers to thewireless communication devices that registered to play the trivia gameat blocks 418 and 420 and to the host wireless communication device.Alternatively, or in addition, server 102 sends the two or more possibleanswers to one or more public monitors 124 for display.

At block 442, the two or more possible answers are received by thewireless communication devices, including the host wirelesscommunication device and/or the public monitor(s) 124, and presented fordisplay.

At block 444, any of the wireless communication devices may respond tothe two or more possible answers provided by server 102 and select oneof the answers believed to be the correct answer to the trivia questionprovided by server 102. Typically, players have a predetermined timeperiod in which to respond, such as thirty seconds. This time may beconfigurable by the host operator prior to the start of the trivia gameas a “pre-game aspect” to define response times greater or less than 30seconds.

At block 446, server 102 monitors incoming messages from wirelesscommunication devices to determine which wireless communication deviceshave selected one of the two or more questions, to determine if theanswer selected by each wireless communication device operator matches acorrect answer, and to store the result of such determination in memory202 for each responding wireless communication device. In oneembodiment, server 102 monitors for incoming messages until thepredetermined time period in which to respond expires.

At block 448, as incoming messages from the wireless communicationdevices are received in block 446, server 102 may transmit statusinformation to the host wireless communication device status informingthe host operator of how many responses have been received and/or howmany responses contained the correct answer.

At block 450, in an embodiment that does not use a predetermined timeperiod in which to respond to questions, the host operator decides whento terminate the response period by providing a command to server 102via user interface 306 to end the response period. Again, this enablesthe host operator may determine the pace, speed, or rate of game play.

At block 452, the command from the host operator to terminate theresponse period is received by processor 300 and transmitted to server102 and, in response, ignores subsequent answers from wirelesscommunication devices who have not yet responded to the trivia question.In one embodiment, a message is transmitted from server 102 to anywireless communication device that that did not provide a response intime indicating that the time period for response has ended.

At block 454, in one embodiment, server 102 does not reveal the correctanswer to the trivia question until an indication is received from thehost wireless communication device. In this embodiment, the hostoperator provides an indication via user interface 306 for server 102 toreveal the correct answer, then processor 300 receives and transmits theindication to server 102 where the indication is received. In anotherembodiment, server 102 reveals the correct answer soon after theresponse time has expired.

At block 456, server 102 reveals the correct answer to the triviaquestion by transmitting an indication of the correct answer to thewireless communication devices, including the host operator and, in someembodiments, to one or more public viewing monitors 124.

At block 458, at some time after the correct answer has been revealed byserver 102, the host operator may provide a command to user interface306 for server 102 to provide the next trivia question, then processor300 receives and transmits the command to server 102 where it isreceived. Blocks 432 through 458 are then repeated until all of thequestions have been asked and answered. In one embodiment, after apredetermined number of questions have been asked and answered, a“leader board” may be transmitted to each of the wireless communicationdevices, presenting an indication of the top individuals or teams whohave answered the most questions correctly or who have the highestcumulative point total at that point in the game.

In one embodiment, at some point after the game has been started (i.e.,in trivia, after the first question has been asked), one or moreindividuals or teams may be allowed to join a game already in progress.In this embodiment, a request to join the game is transmitted from arequesting wireless communication device and received by server 102.Server 102, in response, transmits a query to the host operator askingpermission to allow the late-requesting wireless communication device tojoin the game already in progress. The host operator may then transmit amessage to server 102 indicating either acceptance or a rejection of therequest. In another embodiment, the request from the late-requestingwireless communication device is automatically rejected if a responsefrom the host operator is not received within a predetermined timeperiod after transmitting the query, such as 1 minute. In the case ofacceptance by the host operator, server 102 adds the late-requestingwireless communication device as a participating member of the game, anda message is transmitted from server 102 to the late-requesting wirelesscommunication device indicating approval. Thereafter, responses to thegame received from the late-requesting wireless communication device areevaluated by server 102.

At block 460, server 102 determines a winner of the game, for examplewhich operator has answered the most questions correctly, which operatorhas accumulated the most points based on the number of questionsanswered correctly and the time in which the answers were provided, orsome other metric.

At block 462, server 102 transmits an identification of the winnerdetermined at block 460 to the wireless communication devices, includingthe host operator and, in some embodiments, to one or more publicviewing monitors 124. The identification could comprise a name, digitalimage, username, or some other identification information provided toserver 102 during the game registration process or a previousregistration with server 102.

At block 464, server 102 may determine that a tie has occurred betweenor among two or more operators.

At block 466, an indication of the tie is transmitted to the wirelesscommunication devices, host wireless communication device, and/or publicdisplay monitor 124 along with, in one embodiment, identificationinformation of the tying operators.

At block 468, in one embodiment, a selection of “tie-breakers” istransmitted to the host wireless device and, in some embodiments, to theother wireless communication devices. The selection of tie-breakers maycomprise a choice between two or more additional trivia questions, twoor more categories of trivia, or a choice between two or more othertypes of game play that decides which of the tying operators wins thegame. In another embodiment, a selection of tie-breakers is nottransmitted. In this case, server 102 simply continues game play toanother round and continues to do so until the tie is broken.

At block 470, the selection of “tie-breakers” and identification of thetying operators is received by the wireless communication devices andthe host wireless communication device and presented to their respectiveoperators, each via user interface 306.

At block 472, the host operator selects one of the tie-breakers for usein breaking the tie, and the host wireless communication devicetransmits an indication to server 102 informing server 102 of theselection. None of the other wireless communication devices may transmitsuch a selection to server 102, as only the host operator may do so. Inan embodiment where a trivia question is selected by the host operator,the indication comprises an identification of the trivia questionselected. In an embodiment where a category of trivia is selected, theindication comprises an identification of the trivia category.

At block 474, the indication from the host wireless communication deviceat block 470 is received by server 102.

At block 476, in one embodiment, in response to a selected triviaquestion, server 102 provides an indication to the wirelesscommunication devices of the host operator's selection. In an embodimentwhere the indication comprises a category of trivia, server 102 selectsa trivia question from memory 302 in accordance with the selected triviacategory, then sends the selected trivia question to the wirelesscommunication devices, host wireless communication device, and publicdisplay monitor(s) 124. The steps of blocks 436 (operator choosing whento allow server 102 to reveal possible answers to the trivia question)to 460 (server 102 determines winner) are then repeated.

At block 478, in one embodiment, server 102 provides a selection ofprizes or rewards to the host wireless communication device forselection by the host operator of a prize or reward to be given to thewinner. Such prizes or awards could comprise cash, coupons, or pointsfor use in a pre-existing rewards system offered by venue 116 for thewinner to purchase food or beverages from venue 116 in the future.

At block 480, the host operator selects one of the prizes or rewards forthe winner and transmits his or her selection to server 102.

At block 482, server 102 receives the prize or reward selection from thehost wireless communication device and provides a credit to an accountassociated with the winner. The credit could comprise an electroniccoupon for a reduction in price of a future food or beverage item, acredit redeemable for cash or for other services related to venue 116,such as a credit towards a purchase of future gaming activities, forpurchasing music for playback on a jukebox in venue 116, etc.

The methods or algorithms described in connection with the embodimentsdisclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware or embodied inprocessor-readable instructions executed by a processor. Theprocessor-readable instructions may reside in RAM memory, flash memory,ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, aremovable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known inthe art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor suchthat the processor can read information from, and write information to,the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may beintegral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium mayreside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal. In thealternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discretecomponents.

Accordingly, an embodiment of the invention may comprise acomputer-readable media embodying code or processor-readableinstructions to implement the teachings, methods, processes, algorithms,steps and/or functions disclosed herein.

While the foregoing disclosure shows illustrative embodiments of theinvention, it should be noted that various changes and modificationscould be made herein without departing from the scope of the inventionas defined by the appended claims. The functions, steps and/or actionsof the method claims in accordance with the embodiments of the inventiondescribed herein need not be performed in any particular order.Furthermore, although elements of the invention may be described orclaimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated unless limitation tothe singular is explicitly stated.

We claim:
 1. A server for allowing a wireless communication deviceoperator to control one or more aspects of a multi-player game offeredby the server, comprising: a communication interface for sending andreceiving information from a plurality of wireless communication devicesover a network; a memory for storing processor-executable instructions;and a processor coupled to the memory and the communication interfacefor executing the processor-executable instructions that cause theserver to: send a signal to the plurality of wireless communicationdevices indicating an availability of the multi-player game and anindication of an availability of an exclusive privilege for one of thewireless communication device operators to exclusively control one ormore aspects of the multi-player game; receive a request from a firstwireless communication device for a first wireless communication deviceoperator to receive the exclusive privilege; determine whether anotherwireless communication device operator has already been assigned theexclusive privilege to play the multi-player game; assign the exclusiveprivilege to the first wireless communication device if the exclusiveprivilege has not been assigned to another wireless communication deviceoperator; and send a confirmation to the first wireless communicationdevice indicating that the first wireless communication device operatorhas been granted the exclusive privilege.
 2. The server of claim 1,wherein the processor-executable instructions further compriseinstructions that cause the server to: send a notification to theplurality of wireless devices that the exclusive privilege is no longeravailable after sending the confirmation to the first wirelesscommunication device.
 3. The server of claim 2, wherein the notificationfurther comprises an indication of an identity of the first wirelesscommunication device operator.
 4. The server of claim 1, wherein one ofthe game aspects comprises advancing the game to a subsequent state. 5.The server of claim 1, wherein one of the game aspects comprises a rateat which the game is played.
 6. The server of claim 1, wherein one ofthe game aspects comprises a start time of the game.
 7. The server ofclaim 1, wherein one of the game aspects comprises a minimum number ofplayers required to start the game, wherein the processor-executableinstructions further comprise instructions that cause the server to;receive a number of requests to participate in the game from theplurality of wireless communication devices; wherein the game is startedby the server when the number of requests to participate in the gamemeets or exceeds the minimum number of players defined by the firstwireless communication device operator.
 8. The server of claim 1,wherein the processor-executable instructions further compriseinstructions that cause the server to: receive responses from one ormore wireless communication devices as the game is played; and providean indication to the first wireless communication device of a number ofwireless communication devices that have provided a response to theserver as the game is played.
 9. The server of claim 1, wherein theprocessor-executable instructions further comprise instructions thatcause the server to: receive a number of requests from a plurality ofthe wireless communication devices to participate in the game; registerone or more of the plurality of wireless communication devices to playthe game; provide an indication to the first wireless communicationdevice of the number of wireless communication devices that havesuccessfully registered to play the game.
 10. The server of claim 1,wherein the processor-executable instructions further compriseinstructions that cause the server to: determine that a tie has occurredat the conclusion of the game between at least a second wirelesscommunication device operator and a third wireless communication deviceoperator; provide at least two tie-breakers to the first wirelesscommunication device; receive a selection from the first wirelesscommunication device indicative of one of the at least two tie-breakersselected by the first wireless communication device operator; initiate atie-breaking round of game play between the second wirelesscommunication device operator and the third wireless communicationdevice operator based on the tie-breaker selected by the first wirelesscommunication device operator.
 11. The server of claim 1, wherein theaspects comprise pre-game aspects related to aspects of the gameselected prior to a start of the game and in-game aspects related toaspects of the game that occur as the game is played.
 12. The server ofclaim 1, wherein each of the plurality of wireless communication devicesis located within a public venue.
 13. The server of claim 1, wherein theprocessor-executable instructions further comprise instructions thatcause the server to: advance the game to a first state of play; wait toadvance the game to a subsequent state of play; and advance the game tothe subsequent state of play only after receiving a command to advancethe game to the subsequent state from only the first wirelesscommunication device.
 14. A wireless communication device for allowingan operator of the wireless communication device to control one or moreaspects of a multi-player game offered by a server, comprising: acommunication interface to transmit and receive information with theserver; a user interface to display information to the operator and toreceive input from the operator; a memory for storingprocessor-executable instructions; and a processor coupled to thecommunication interface, the user interface, and the memory forexecuting the processor-executable instructions that cause the wirelesscommunication device to: request an exclusive right to control one ormore aspects related to the multi-player game from the server; receivethe exclusive right to control one or more aspects related to themulti-player game; and after the game has started, transmit a command tothe server for controlling an aspect of the multi-player game as thegame is being played.
 15. The wireless communication device of claim 14,wherein the aspect comprises an advancement of the game to a subsequentstate.
 16. The wireless communication device of claim 14, wherein theaspect comprises a rate at which the game is played.
 17. The wirelesscommunication device of claim 14, wherein the processor-executableinstructions further comprise instructions that cause the wirelesscommunication device to: before the game has started, transmit a commandto the server for controlling a second aspect of the multi-player gameprior to a start of the multi-player game.
 18. The wirelesscommunication device of claim 15, wherein the second aspect comprises astart time of the multi-player game.
 19. The wireless communicationdevice of claim 15, wherein the second aspect comprises a restriction onwho may participate in the multi-player game.
 20. The wirelesscommunication device of claim 13, wherein the processor-executableinstructions further comprise instructions that cause the wirelesscommunication device to: receive a status from the server indicative ofa number of players who have provided a response to an advancement of astate of game play by the server.